Russell, Carr win AMA Pro Flat Track at LA Raceway

LA Raceway in LaMonte, Missouri is a well known 3/8-mile clay track for Sprint cars, Street Stocks, Modifieds, and Hobby Stocks. Last Saturday night, the track was superbly prepared as a lighting fast motorcycle track for Round 3 of the AMA Pro Flat Track National Hot Shoe Series.

Four AMA Pro National Hot Shoe classes were scheduled, for competition between riders such as seven-time AMA Pro Grand National Champion Chris Carr, current AMA Pro Grand National Champion Kenny Coolbeth, this year’s Springfield Mile Pro Singles winner Michael Toon and last week’s National Hot Shoe Pro Singles winner Shayna Texter. More than 3,000 fans filled the grandstands for an evening of flat track motorcycle racing at its best.

Toon, one of the hottest Pro Single riders in the country right now, chalked up yet another win aboard the No. 22L Price Truck Line Honda CRF450R in the Pro Singles main over Corby Scherb on the No. 32N SSR/Chico Racing Honda CRF450R. Texter rounded out the top three aboard the No. 25A Lancaster Suzuki RM-Z450.

In the Pro Twins main event things got turned around a bit with Corby Scherb on the No. 32N SSR/Chico Racing Harley-Davidson taking the win over Texter, who made her twins debut on the No. 25A Lancaster Harley-Davidson. Jeff Carver, aboard the No. 24P Stevens Racing Suzuki, finished third.

Running in the Expert Singles class puts Carr out of familiar territory, having won all of his Grand National Championships on specialized flat track framed motorcycles. "These new kids coming up have much more experience than I do riding these production bikes," said Carr, arguably the most dominate rider in the country in past AMA Pro Grand National seasons.

However, Carr proved that skill can make up for a lack of experience in the production class, as his Kenny Tolbert-tuned Honda proved untouchable in the Expert Singles main event. Carr rode his No. 4 Chris Carr Racing/DFW Honda CRF450R to the win over Jared Mees and his No. 21 Pro Honda Oils Honda CRF450R, with Sammy Halbert pushing his No. 43 Halbert Family Yamaha YZF450 to the limit for third.

The Expert Twins main event resembled more of an AMA Pro Grand National than a Hot Shoe, including top riding talent such as Coolbeth, Carr, Mees, Shaun Russell and JR Schnabel. Riding the No. 28 Rogers/Lake Racing Harley-Davidson, Shaun Russell took the win in the 12-lap final. Mees’ No. 22 Blue Springs/Screaming Eagle Harley-Davidson took second over No. 33 Memphis Shades/Parts Unlimited Harley-Davidson mounted Schnabel. The only non Harley-Davidson in the main event was Michael Kirkness on the No. 87 Yeager’s Cycle Suzuki, who finished a well respected seventh.

AMA Pro Racing sends their thoughts and condolences to the family of Gary Bragg, who sustained injuries during Saturday’s promoter vintage bike exhibition race and passed away later that evening at a local hospital.